Agenda
Navigate Political & Economic Uncertainty
On August 5–6, 2025, Tambellini’s 2025 Future Campus™ Summit, “Navigating the Ambiguity,” will bring together higher education leaders who are navigating the complexities of political and economic uncertainty for two impactful days of meaningful peer exchange and scenario-based dialogue. This executive retreat, in the heart of New York City, is curated to provide unparalleled opportunities for cross-functional, cross-institutional, and cross-sector collaboration.
August 5–6, 2025
New York, NY
Summit Agenda At-a-Glance
Breakfast
Breakfast
Registration
& Breakfast
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
Breakfast, Networking
& Partner Showcase
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Morning
Breakfast
Opening Keynote
& Sessions
8:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Breakfast
Morning Keynote
& Sessions
8:30–11:30 a.m.
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch & Awards
12:15–1:15 p.m.
Lunch
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Afternoon
Afternoon
Sessions
& Partner Showcase
1:15–5:15 p.m.
Afternoon
Sessions
& Closing Remarks
12:30–5:00 p.m.
Evening
Evening
Official Opener
& Reception
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Evening
Dinner on Your Own
after 5:30 p.m.
Evening
Space is Limited.
Two Days of Learning and Inspiration
Join the Tambellini Group, the world’s leading higher education IT analyst firm, for this intimate, retreat-style event focused on building your institution’s future campus.
Presentations
Hear from higher education policy, industry, and market experts, including Arne Duncan, former US Secretary of Education, for insights into evolving political dynamics and their impacts on institutions.
Tabletop Exercises
Join higher education pioneers, analysts, and solution providers to delve into unprecedented challenges, including:
- The effects of drastic research funding cuts.
- Instability in student financial aid systems.
- Growing pressure related to oversight and compliance.
- Balancing shared governance and institutional autonomy.
- Maintaining a safe and inclusive campus climate.
- Managing cybersecurity threats.
Scenario Planning
Engage with experts, solution providers, and peers as you work to realize radical efficiency and agility in operations. Gain diverse perspectives while simulating potential outcomes from current and future policy changes and market conditions.
Pre-Summit: August 4
Networking reception to connect, relax, and kick off the Future Campus Summit. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.
Day 1: August 5
Summit check-in and full breakfast buffet.
Tom Andriola, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Data & Chief Digital Officer, UC Irvine
Tom will lead a discussion with institution leaders who are newer in their roles, focusing on strategies for navigating the evolving challenges of higher education and building leadership agility in times of change.
Tom also welcomes 1:1 conversations to discuss leadership in times of change, trends shaping the future of higher education, and strategies for career growth.
Summit opening with an overview of the agenda, a look at the key themes, and setting the stage for meaningful conversations, thought leadership, and community building.
Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, PhD
Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, researcher, entrepreneur, and author of the book Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good for You (Even Though it Feels Bad). She is a professor of psychology and neuroscience and Director of the Emotion Regulation Lab at The City University of New York. As Founder and CSO of Arcade Therapeutics, she translates neuroscience and cognitive therapy into game-based treatments for mental health. She has published over 100 scientific articles and delivered over 400 presentations at academic conferences and for corporate clients. She has been featured throughout the media, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Netflix, and The Today Show, and is a regular contributor to publications such as the Washington Post Well+Being column, Psychology Today, and Inc. Magazine.
Take a break to recharge and connect with fellow attendees.
This session will explore how higher education leaders can navigate the challenges of legislative interference, campus polarization, and evolving expectations—balancing shared governance, institutional autonomy, and the need for a safe, inclusive campus climate. Strategies will be discussed to protect the institution’s mission and academic freedom while navigating external pressures, preserving institutional values, and fostering trust across the campus community.
Higher education finance, HR, and research operations are often siloed, manual, and reactive, slowing down strategic decisions, increasing compliance risks, and limiting the ability to attract top talent or secure long-term funding. Join us to explore how modernizing these functions can unlock growth, improve agility, and support sustainable success.
The Tambellini Future Campus Award™ honors innovative higher education institutions making meaningful progress toward building a more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive future by leveraging emerging technologies to transform learning, administration, and campus life.
The 2025 awards celebrate institutions that have demonstrated radical agility—adapting to shifting conditions with speed and intention. This year’s honorees have shown how they’ve navigated uncertainty to deliver measurable impact on either learning outcomes and experience or operational efficiency, while staying focused on long-term institutional transformation.
As AI transforms higher education, leaders must guide their teams through uncertainty, addressing fears of job loss and cultural resistance while championing AI as a tool for growth, not replacement. This session will explore the leadership mindset and competencies required to build trust, bridge cultural divides, and foster an environment where human expertise and AI work together to drive strategic success.
Opportunity to schedule 30 minutes with industry thought leaders from leading technology partners.
Admitted students often face a disjointed experience as they transition from digital engagement to campus life—encountering disconnected touchpoints, access barriers, and inconsistent support. This session will explore strategies to align digital and in-person experiences, create seamless early touchpoints, and foster stronger engagement to reduce early student drop-off.
Engage with partners working at the intersection of technology, services, and institutional strategy. Ask questions, explore solutions, and discuss how these offerings can support your goals.
A guided session focused on restoring balance, reducing stress, and building resilience—designed for busy executives seeking practical strategies to support their well-being.
Enjoy an evening on your own in New York City.
Day 2: August 6
Time for networking and full breakfast buffet.
Engage with partners working at the intersection of technology, services, and institutional strategy. Ask questions, explore solutions, and discuss how these offerings can support your goals.
Opportunity to schedule 30 minutes with industry thought leaders from leading technology partners.
Kick off day two with a brief reflection on key insights from day one and set the stage for the day’s discussions.
This session will explore the technologies, governance, and cross-campus collaboration needed to scale smart campus initiatives—balancing operational efficiency, compliance, and student trust. Discussion of how to assess infrastructure readiness, design a smart tech risk map, and identify high-impact use cases for predictive intelligence.
Take a break to recharge and connect with fellow attendees.
Higher education leaders are under pressure to adapt, make tough decisions, and lead through uncertainty. In this session, we’ll explore how institutions can rethink operations, refocus teams on aligned initiatives, and use technology to drive agility and efficiency. Industry leaders will share real-world examples of transforming organizations under pressure, with practical insights on building a mindset that embraces change and unlocks new opportunities.
Arne Duncan, Former US Secretary of Education
Vicki Tambellini, Tambellini Group Founder and Senior Vice President, MGT
Tom Andriola, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Data & Chief Digital Officer, UC Irvine, will lead a panel discussion of institutional leaders on what it takes to navigate today’s higher education landscape. Panelists will share insights on building agility, fostering resilience, and staying focused on mission in a time of rapid change.
Opportunity to schedule 30 minutes with industry thought leaders from leading technology partners.
Engage with partners working at the intersection of technology, services, and institutional strategy. Ask questions, explore solutions, and discuss how these offerings can support your goals.
A guided session focused on restoring balance, reducing stress, and building resilience—designed for busy executives seeking practical strategies to support their well-being.
As institutions face tightening federal budgets and potential cuts to research funding, this session will explore strategies to sustain research productivity, support faculty and graduate students, and preserve long-term innovation capacity. We’ll discuss approaches to diversify funding sources, strengthen institutional research infrastructure, and align research priorities with an evolving policy and funding environment.
Join us as we wrap up key takeaways from the retreat, discuss next steps for continuing the conversation, and explore how we can stay connected as a leadership community.
Keynote Speakers
Tambellini Speakers
Tambellini Analysts and Advisors have curated an exclusive event for transformational leaders after thousands of interactions with higher education institutions and using the most extensive AI market intelligence.
